Tag: Christian living

  • Fishers of Men

    Different gifting, same calling

    Steveston Harbor uagust 2026

    Earlier this week, we enjoyed a day trip to nearby Steveston Harbor in Richmond, BC. Founded as a separate community in the 1880’s, Steveston was home to numerous large-scale salmon canneries and fishing fleets. It’s still home to 600 fishing boats, the largest fleet in Canada. Seafood fresh off the boat can be purchased along Fisherman’s Wharf.

    It’s home to several whale-watching tour groups who head out regularly to catch views of orcas and humpbacks. We didn’t take a tour, but we still saw seals and otters around the wharf area.

    The downtown area, with many early 1900s historical buildings and the wharf, has been used in dozens of TV shows and movies. You may have seen Steveston without ever going there.

    A walk along the boardwalk and downtown brings you to more restaurants than you can count, fish markets, gift shops, a museum and stores of all kinds. Lining the boardwalk are signs about maritime heritage, including one that helps you understand what the different fishing boats look like and how they operate.

    Different species need different types of equipment. That makes sense. It’s also true when fishing for people. We are called to be fishers of men, but that doesn’t mean we all do it the same way.

    While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22 ESV

    And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

    All of us are called to share the gospel, but not all of us are gifted as evangelists. Does that lack of gifting excuse us from sharing the truth? Absolutely not.

    We use the gifts, talents and tools God has given us. Some people are naturally inviters, and they invite people to church. Others have the gift of making conversation, and matters of faith come up easily.

    Still others live their lives striving to imitate Christ and love others. That can make people curious, and they ask about why you are that way. After all, loving your neighbor, walking in integrity and humility and not worrying seem strange to our world today.

    Perhaps you are a prayer warrior, laying down covering fire for the evangelists and praying for specific people to come to know the Lord.

    Maybe you are called to stand on a street corner with a Jesus is near sign and a megaphone. That’s not my thing, but if it’s what God calls you to, you need to listen.

    Perhaps it’s going door to door and giving out tracts. Tracts have been around a long time, and while many get thrown away, people have come to know the Lord that way.

    For me, it’s in relationships and conversation. I try to be alert to opportunities to discuss matters of faith and plant seeds. Sometimes they seem to go nowhere; other times they lead to deeper conversations.

    God knows you, and He knows people you can reach. Different fish are caught by different methods. 

    God is responsible for the results. Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts. Still, we are responsible for doing our part.

    There are plenty of lost people out there. Let’s follow our calling and go fishing for them every day. Eternity matters.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Walking the Steveston boardwalk, I saw signs explaining how different boats and gear are built to catch different kinds of fish, and it struck me that fishing for people works the same way. Jesus calls all of us to be fishers of men, but He doesn’t call us all to fish the same way.

     

    TAKEAWAY

    Different fish require different equipment, just as God gives each believer different gifts for reaching people with the gospel.

    Not everyone is gifted as an evangelist, but that doesn’t excuse anyone from sharing the truth in whatever way God has equipped them.

    Whether through invitation, conversation, prayer, tracts, or simply living faithfully, God is responsible for the results; we’re responsible for using our gifts.

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  • Otters

    and the Eden we long for

    Yesterday, Kathy and I made a day trip out to Steveson. We walked at Garry Point, enjoying the coastal views (Salish Sea, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and part of the Fraser River). It was fascinating watching the various marine craft come and go. The highlight, though, was the otters.

    We enjoyed a meal of fish and chips at #pajo’s on the boardwalk. Afterward, as we strolled near Fisherman’s Wharf, we spotted three otters. At first, they were simply swimming and playing, but they proceeded to climb up onto a far end of the dock within sight of us. They were hilarious to watch as they played and explored some of the watercraft. They kept us amused for 5-10 minutes before they disappeared from our sight. They were close enough to see well, but not close enough to photograph, clearly on my phone, so today’s image is courtesy of Kendra Young on Unsplash.

    I always enjoy watching animals at play, and when I do, I often think of the Garden of Eden. The Garden was deemed “very good” by God, and no sin had entered. I know many species of animals and birds can differentiate 

    between humans, becoming trusting and often very friendly with them. I’m certain the animals played freely, and that Adam and Eve were free to join in. 

    While Eden is, alas, no more. A heavenly paradise awaits those who belong to Christ. It’s a place that defies description, but I am certain it will be everything Eden was and more.

    John the Revelator attempted to describe what he saw in the Revelation; the Holy Spirit inspired him to write. Here’s a taste of what He said.

    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

    Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-4 ESV

    I can’t begin to imagine it. To be honest, I can’t even really picture the fullness of what the Garden of Eden was like, and it foreshadowed what will come. Still, I can hardly wait to see it.

    I have my Holy Spirit-sealed ticket to Paradise. Do you have yours?

    If you haven’t trusted Jesus by faith yet, do it today.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Watching three playful otters explore the docks in Steveston reminded me of Eden’s innocence, when animals and humans lived in unbroken harmony. The Garden of Eden is gone now, but through Christ, an even greater paradise awaits those who trust Him

    TAKEAWAY

    I watched three otters play and explore the docks at Steveston, and it reminded me of the untouched harmony of Eden

    I believe the animals in Eden trusted humans completely, free enough that Adam and Eve could have joined right in their play

    Revelation 21–22 shows me the paradise to come, greater than Eden ever was, where God dwells with His people forever and wipes away every tear

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